Winter 2013-2014 Rads

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited January 2014

    Thank you for sharing your experiences ladies, it has given me confidence and quelled many fears.  Today they did x-rays and lined me up to start rads tomorrow.  I asked my DR about cream and he said they only give it if needed.  From reading your posts it seems to me that the cream may be preventative...I am debating about using anything.  I have not used deodorant since I was dx.  I haven't noticed any sweating but I am off work currently so I plan to stop at least until the end of rads.  The only thing I am nervous about is returning to work 2/3....I will have very long days because I have to have treatment before work.  I am bouncing back from chemo....so hopefully I will be able to handle it.  Best of luck to everyone.

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2014

    TeamKim, I also had some shooting pain in the nipple after the first 2 or 3 zaps. Has not been a problem after that. But when it happened, I was surprised & a little concerned.

  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    I had treatment #13/25 today. Developed a dark red bumpy rash yesterday near my clavicle where the axillary lymph nodes are being zapped. It feels like it's on fire. My nipple is also so incredibly sore. I'm back at work 3 days a week until rads are over. I wear a bra to work, then go to treatment after work, then I leave off the bra after treatment and put on a tank top. The bra is getting uncomfortable, so I've been wearing tank tops instead of bra when not at work. Can't wait for this all to be over!

  • LanaM
    LanaM Member Posts: 142
    edited January 2014

    26/33 today - after today only 2 regular then 5 boosts. I'm getting really sore especially under my armpit and along the bottom crease of the breast area. Sleeping is getting harder. My armpit looks almost black. I'm still working through treatment though. It's getting so that I want to walk around with my arm in the air so nothing rubs though - kind of strange looking I'm sure. I just pray my skin holds up. Can't wait for this journey to be finished!

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2014

    I too had the black mark under my armpit.  Checked it this morning, healed up real nice, just a small pink line there now.  My last rad was Jan 3rd.

  • checkers
    checkers Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2014

    Rosie, Bondsy, TeamKim,  I am also post-menopausal and had that "hot body" at night during and after chemo. It went away about 3 weeks after chemo but I started rads last week and am wondering if it will return. It is definitely not a hot flash but those are plentiful as well!  I don't know who it drives crazier, myself or my husband because we both wake up when I have to throw the covers off

    Today is day 5 of 30 and so far my rad (left) breast is a little achy.
    I'm not sure if it is the rads or the new non-under wire bra that I had
    to buy. The bra comes off as soon as I get home from work.

    I have a 1/2 hour drive to rads each day and once again it is cold (6
    degrees) and snowing. I was told if the weather gets really
    bad to give them a call and cancel.  I still have to have 30 treatments but it will take a little longer if days are missed.

    Thanks to everyone who has posted about creams and SE. So far the Medline Remedy cream is working and it smells good, too! I have some Aquafor on standby for when things really heat up. Even though it is only day 5 I think fatigue is already setting in. The last 2 nights I fell asleep on the couch at 8pm!

  • Gubbyann
    Gubbyann Member Posts: 34
    edited January 2014

    Had my 14th rad today 19 to go...Not to bad considering...Had a hard time getting on and off table because of my leg and hip pains, but overall it went well...Noticed my breast a little more tender and a bit more red...Nothing under arm yet..Although I feel twinges...Hard to explain...It's like when you get an eye twinge...But doesn't last long...A second or 2...

    Using udder cream and aquaphor and works for me...Use it a few times a day after rads...I'ts great for dry skin too...When I had chemo my hands broke out in a very bad rash and ended up blistered...I used Udderly smooth udder cream and it worked like a dream...I will always use it, even when this is over...Try it and I think you will like it, and the best part is,  it doesn't cost a fortune like other creams do...Hope all of you have a good rest of the day...Bless you all 

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2014

    To anyone using Aquaphor, if you do not like the greasy mess, try switching to Glaxal Base.  It is not made with petroleum so it is creamier & not as messy. This is what I was given when I finished Rads.  I was not allowed to use anything during rads but had aquaphor at home. I have tried both & prefer the Glaxal base.  You can get it at Walmart or drugstores. 

  • Gubbyann
    Gubbyann Member Posts: 34
    edited January 2014

    70charger..Thanks for the tip on using Glaxal...I will give it a try

  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2014

    I was advised to use Glaxal too once I am done my medicated creams.  :)

  • Moving-Forward
    Moving-Forward Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2014

    Hi all: I finished my course of radiation today! 31 out of 31 done! 

    I got emotional as I said thank you and goodbye to staff, especially my techs. They were wonderful. I could not have asked for a better team to guide me through this process. 

    My skin has lost it's redness since I transitioned to the boost treatments (26-31) and looks light brown, or as if I have a fading tan. Still applying Miaderm. My fatigue level has subsided since I was hit hard a few weeks ago. I really feel great, much better than I expected at this point. 

    The only new piece of information I received today was that my RO and RN informed me that for the next 2 years I need to manually massage my breast and the adjacent armpit area for 5 minutes daily. This is to loosen the scar tissue from the lumpectomy and to promote blood flow. If I do not than that breast (left) will shrink and harden compared to my right. If anyone else in our group was advised of this need I would be curious to know.

    I see my RO in 4 weeks for a follow up. Will be starting Tamoxifen at that time-sigh.

    A sincere thank you for the support and camaraderie I gained from this forum. Wishing each of you positive energy and   strength in your continued journeys.

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2014

    MovingForward.....Congratulations !

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2014

    Moving forward.  I was only told about massage right after lumpectomy, nothing about it after rads.  Oh Congrats on being done with rads.

  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2014

    Congrats Moving-Forward !

  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2014

    Congrats moving forward!!

  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited January 2014

    Yeah movingforward good for you!


  • mouse9587
    mouse9587 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2014

    Today was #11 of 35! I can see the "rectangle" area starting to appear in pink. My nipple is puckered and sore. RO said to put lots of Aquaphor on it (just not within 4 hours of rads). Keep on keeping on!

  • BethF7
    BethF7 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2014

    Today was #6 of 25 for me and so far so good!  Just can't get over how hard that table is and today the techs had quite a time finding my position so they had me sit up to start all over again.  I kept hearing all these numbers being called out and had the measuring tape used a couple of times but it turned out just fine and I was quickly back out in the snow (we only got about two inches).  All of my rad techs are super nice and have a great sense of humor.  I can't remember a day I haven't left laughing.  It's a team event...not only are they my cheerleaders, they are committed to helping me get through this time and I'm so grateful!  

    MovingForward - congrats for making it to the finish line!  

    Gubbyann - I'm having the leg and knee pains too.  In the morning it's not so bad but by the afternoon I'm down and feel like I'm walking around like an old woman!

    Cari - So sorry to hear that you had to delay your cruise, but you'll be on that ship before you know it!  Hope your hubby has a speedy recovery!

  • peaches12
    peaches12 Member Posts: 67
    edited January 2014

    congrats, moving-forward. What a great day for you 

  • ellenkc
    ellenkc Member Posts: 173
    edited January 2014

    MovingForward: Congrats on finishing!

    I had rads 8 years ago, and never heard of (or ever did) the manual massage on the radiated side -- and no hardening here. In fact, when the RO examined me this time around, he exclaimed with some surprise at what good shape the skin was in from the last time around. Like you, my tumors have been very small. Maybe they were thinking of folks with larger tumors/more invasive surgery and scarring?

    Ellen

  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    Moving Forward -- congrats on graduating to the ranks of the DONE Radiants!  What are you doing to celebrate?

  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    Congrats, Moving Forward! I have 11 more rads to go. I haven't heard about the massaging either, but thanks for letting us know about it. It makes sense. I'll ask my doctor next week. Today when I went in everyone was so nice to me and so apologetic about forgetting me in the exam room last week. They all apologized so many times. All is forgiven.

  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited January 2014

    congrats to those moving forwar i'll take thhe spot as it looks like i'mm in tthis group  too.  please forgive typos and double letters still have bad fingers ffrom chemo neuropathy.  happy to be here and greetings from the subzero northeast.  short background i'm a mom with 2 kids son 4 yrs and 10 yr old daughter and soul mate spouse dx idc last june, bmx july, chemo sept, mets sept, ibc sept, nuclear level chemmo ct, inffection and hospitiallized dec, immplant on bc side removed and uniboobed dec, nuclear chemo  cut back to targeted therapies only jan after clean pet scan   *yaay*, met with RO last week.  got tatooed....i  asked the RO for MOM.  went today for films.  had to hold my bad arm up ffor over an hour and that hurt like the dickens.  i have 8 weeks of rads as a breakk from chemo due to neuropathy quite bad lost feeling in both feet...starting to come  back almost a mont later.  still getting perjeta and herceptin txs every 3  wks during rads.  will go back to cfull chemmo affter rads again is the MO plan.  wearing mmy lymphadema sleeve because that hurt so bad today.  going to my PT tomorrow for a reffresher.  start rad tx #1 on monday.  kids had snow day today so had to get 2 different babysitters to cover dr appts..just a poopy diaper day today...but glad to be here.  getting caught up on posts.

  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    Welcome PosNeg!  My goodness you have been through a lot!!  Yay for the clear CT scan!  Hope rads is a walk in the park so you can get a little rest from the roller coaster -- sounds like a little tedious daily zapping will steady the ship so the journey can continue to the successful outcome!!

  • yoga_girl
    yoga_girl Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2014



    Nov-Dec 2013; Radiation Side Effects; Xerostomia and Metal Taste

    Has anyone experienced metal taste in mouth as a result of
    radiation (start of week 3) to breast in prone position, tumor bed area
    within 1 inch of the heart.  I am now
    four weeks post rads completion and still have metal taste.  It’s impacting my ability to eat and keep
    green veggies down. 

    Diagnosed with Xerostomia by my dentist during last week of
    rads completed due to breast radiation. 
    Was not told to kick up my oral prevention plan by my radiation doctor
    for possible saliva production reduction and enamel damage to teeth as a
    secondary side effect. Biotene products were immediately recommended by dentist
    during my first exam after rads (rinse, gum gel, high fluoride toothpaste).  Skin in mouth just peels off when brushing,
    can’t eat anything like crackers or toast, hot and cold are difficult to judge
    (I’ve burnt my mouth on soup), raw onions burn. 
    I’ve lost interest in food.

    http://www.cancer.net/all-about-cancer/treating-cancer/managing-side-effects/dry-mouth-or-xerostomia

    I did not have IV chemo prior to surgery or rads.

    Just want to know I’m not the only person who has
    experienced these side effects with this treatment plan.  If I had known I would have done everything
    possible for prevention.

    Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Wishing everyone light and love with your healing
    progress.

  • Pokemom1959
    Pokemom1959 Member Posts: 198
    edited January 2014

    Well, tomorrow is my lumpectomy and IORT (assuming everything goes well).  See you all on the other side!

    Debbie

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    Hi, does anyone know if there is a february 2014 rads thread?

  • Gubbyann
    Gubbyann Member Posts: 34
    edited January 2014

    Yoga girl....I lost my taste during chemo, and only started getting it back, maybe 65%...I;m in the middle of rads will be getting my 17th today....I used biotene a lot....Used it after I ate,,,It helped with dry mouth, but not really sure If it helped get some of my taste back...But I do rinse my mouth after I eat...I use crest now, a very mild one with out alcohol...I no how you feel about not wanting to eat...Every thing tastes bad, so I started using protien drinks once a day to keep up my strength and they work...I figured by the time I started rads my taste would have come back but it hasn't all come back yet,,,They say unless you are getting you head, throat or neck radiated you should not loose your taste, but who knows with this nasty thing we are going through...A lot of the things I ate before do not taste good anymore, but I force my self because I know I need it,,,I truly hope it all comes back soon...I read some where that they say to stimulate your tongue with things like lemon, orange juice, even hot sauces but I would not recomend it... It sounds to spicey and if your mouth hurts forget it...I did try Wendys chili and it tasted pretty normal, why I don't know...Now things like eggs, toast, even butter don't tast good...My last day of Chemo was the day before Thanksgiving,,,I had a lot of company, made a hugh meal as I always do, but when it came time to eat I could not taste a dam thing...It was very hard and frustrating to watch everyone enjoying the meal I made and I couldn't...Of course I didn't make a fuss, just pretented to eat, nobody noticed thank God...I want people to enjoy themselves when they come for dinner...Just take one day at a time like I do and maybe if we are lucky it will all come back...Good luck to you..Let me know how you do...If this note is kind of mispelled just ignore it...another side effect I got from the chemo was watery eyes which makes it hard to write...Stephanie.

  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2014

    HVV - I haven't seen a February Rads thread but I don't see any issues with posting here since February is still part of winter. Just my thoughts.

    Going for 9/25 today. No issues with skin so far. I have a bit of itching but that could just be due to cold weather outside other parts of my body are itchy too. Not much redness, can't really see difference between the two sides. I've been using my running arm warmers to keep warm on the table. It's great. Everyone is nice, though I can't remember all of the techs names. They rotate based on their shifts and while it's the same group, there are about 6 ladies in total. My memory sucks!

  • rosecal954
    rosecal954 Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2014

    Congrats to you Movingforward. That must be a good feeling to all done.  All the best to you on this journey.

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